Electric-elevating desktop

ABSTRACT

An executive/clerical type office desk embodying a fully contained electromechanical system for elevating and lowering the desktop, between a user&#39;s seating position and a full standing position. Three telescoping stanchions support and control the desktop height from a standard-desk height to an upper height of about 44 inches. The desktop rest directly on three poles sliding inside the telescoping support stanchions. The sliding poles are lifted and lowered by cables looped-under pulleys mounted in bottom of said poles, and are drawn up and released by an electric-motor-driven cable winch. Anti-friction treatments are in place between the inner sliding members and the supporting stanchions. By said cables looping under pulleys, installed in the bottom of each inner telescoping member, and anchoring atop the telescoping stanchions a lifting mechanical advantage of two is obtained. The user operates a three position electrical switch to raise and lower the desktop. An onboard rechargeable-electrical battery powers the electric motor.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS

3,370,556 Kooi, J. P. E. Oct. 25, 1966 3,543,282 Sautereau, L. E. F. Apr. 4, 1968 4,619,208 Andrew Kurrasch Oct. 28, 1986 4,651,652 Robert Wyckoff Mar. 24, 1987 5,438,939 John Clarke Aug. 8, 1995 5,682,825 Roland Manner Nov. 4, 1997 5,797,331 Richard L. Watt Aug. 25, 1998 6,152,049 Rainer Schmidt Nov. 28, 2000 6,412,427 Manfred Merkt Jul. 2, 2002

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

According to Mayo Clinic: “Prolonged sitting can put one at risk for a potentially fatal condition in which a blood clot forms in the legs, breaking loose, and blocking an arteries in the lung.” Long periods of rudimentary work, while seated at a desk, also tend to reduce one's productivity. Repeated relief breaks are costly, whereas rising to a standing position can greatly enhance one's productivity and avoid interruptions. The user can elevate or lower the desk surface without losing train of thought. The proposed assembly helps enhance user performance and guard against cardiac impairment.

PRIOR ART

This section explains how and why none of the referenced patents offer equivalent capabilities of: construction, functionality, user friendliness, esthetics, and prestige—claimed by this proposed Electric-Elevating Desk application.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,370,556 and 3,543,282 are not applicable to office deskwork, are depended on counter balancing forces, and are not adaptable to electrical control.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,619,208 does use electrical control, but is wall mounted, uses house power and is not a stand along work surface.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,651,652 alleges the same attributes and functional desirability as the proposed application, but depends on the force of a “gas spring” requiring the user to supply compensating force to achieve the desired desktop elevation. Electrical control is not feasible.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,438,939, 5,682,825 and 5,797,331 are drafting table configurations and not adaptable for office desk functions.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,152,049, necessitates dual traction ropes and dual rope drums for each support leg; lacks integral power source if and when electrical drive were included, reducing portability, necessitating external power requirements; and necessitates a spring loaded counter force, a complex multiple configured rope drum for two, three or four support legs. Whereas my application is compliant to a self-contained unobtrusive electrical power motive units, and uses a high gear ratio drive unit that negates the need for counter force ropes, a multiple configured drive drum, and locking mechanism. Weight of the desktop supplies adequate downward force as the drive wench is reversed. Frictionless plastic linings prevent binding during desktop lowering. And my tri-legged support configuration provides self leveling, negating the need for leveling legs.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,412,427 a device for adjusting the height of a piece of furniture, is based on a two legged support structure. This limitation is due to the method of employing the drive elements. Its two supporting legs do not provide the stability and lateral strength provided by a three-legged support. The dual drive elements and dual cable to each supporting leg increase the complexity and reduce the inherent reliability. My invention has only single cables to each support leg and is collected on one motorize winch—maximizing reliability and maintainability. The need for dual cabling to each of support legs is negated by dependency on: the weight of the desk/work top; plastic lined outer telescoping tube; and by balance support of the inner tube—insuring consistent centering of the tube though its vertical excursions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

This application, on the other hand, provides a fully configured universal office-desk design, acceptable and adaptable for virtually any office decor and operational needs—from clerical and engineer work stations to executive decor. The three-point support structure provides: self-leveling, attractive furniture decor, abundant legroom for the seated user, and self-contained electrical power affording portability and positioning orientating. The forward facing edge lends to conferencing—for up to six conferees. Toggle switch control gives the user ready access for rising and lowering the desktop. The electrical power is derived from a rechargeable battery that may need recharging about every one to four months.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a forward facing two-dimensional drawing viewing from under the proposed desk assembly, showing the location of the electro-mechanical assembly, and control cables.

FIG. 2 a schematic diagram of the control cables, mechanical lifting mechanism, and electric wiring.

FIG. 3 a bottom view of the desktop showing mountings of electro-mechanical elements, control cable and electric wire routing.

FIG. 3 a a sectional drawing of the bottom of each telescoping stanchion showing the pulleys that receive the down directing cables and return them to an anchorage on top of stanchions.

FIG. 3 b a sectional drawing of the top of each supporting stanchion showing the pulleys that receive the up-directing cables and redirects them toward the lifting mechanism.

FIG. 4 a top view showing optional adaptable augmentations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 Support structure 1 consists of three vertical telescoping stanchions of metal, plastic or wood members, preferably each with square cross sections, securely affixed by four cross members 1 a, to form an evenly distributed support for the desktop, and support for inner telescoping members that affix to the desktop.

The said telescoping stanchions, each enclose poles 2 that rise and lower upon activation of the electromechanical system. The extending poles 2 are affixed to the desktop 3 via pillow blocks or pipe flange, and have cable pulleys installed in their lower ends to accommodate the control cables. The control cables 4 are routed via pulleys to the electromechanical control unit 5. The desk support system 1 is made mobile via lockable wheels 6 affixed to each of the vertical stanchions.

FIG. 2. Cable pulleys 7 route each of the control cables to the cable winch 8 which is driven by a speed reducing gear box 11, which in turn is driven by an electrical motor 9, via a mechanical clutch 10. Power for the motor is routed from a rechargeable battery 12 via a three-pole electrical switch 13, readily accessible to the user. Switch 13 controls the motor's rotational direction to raise or lower the desktop. Cables extend from the cable winch 8 over pulleys 7, down the insides of vertical stanchions and around pulleys 14, mounted in the bottom end of the telescoping inner members, and then up to the top of the stanchions, where they are securely attached 15.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the desktop showing mountings of the various control mechanisms. Added to the already mentioned items are the two cable conduits 16 that carry control cables from the stanchions to the cable winch 8. These conduits are firmly affixed the bottom of desktop. Also added is the electrical conduit 17 that carries electrical circuits from the rechargeable battery 12 to the three-position switch 13 and on to the electrical motor 9. Cable pulley 18 reroutes one of the control cables to the cable winch 8. A high-ratio gear-reduction mechanism 11 (located under cable winch 8 and not shown) provides motor thrust re-direction to the cable winch 8, providing a high-ratio mechanical advantage. The mechanical clutch 10, between the motor 9 and gear reduction mechanism 11, allows slippage if the three-position switch is held in the up or down position after the inner telescoping element has reached the bottom most position or the upper most position. The motor's 9 high RPM offsets the high-gear reduction, in accomplishing a suitable desktop elevating rate.

FIG. 3 a is a sectional view of the lower end of the three telescoping stanchions 1 showing cable pulley 14, installed in the inner poles 2, that receives and redirects the vertically descending control cables up the inside of the stanchions to top of the stanchions, where they are firmly anchored.

FIG. 3 b is sectional view of the top end of the three telescoping stanchions 1 showing the cable pulley 7 that receives the vertically ascending control cables from cable pulleys 14 and re-routes them to the cable winch 8.

FIG. 4 shows adaptability of several stationary drawers 20, and an optional DC to AC power inverter 21 with output receptacle 22 for supplying power to a variety of AC devices. Access around the outer perimeter of the desktop provides leg room and desk space for up to six conferees 19. 

1. An Electric-Elevating Desktop comprising of: a) a desktop composed of rigid, self-supporting materials, that spans an area about that of a convention desktop working areas. b) a desktop-elevating mechanism embodying a cable-winch drawn by a high-ratio gear assembly driven by an electric motor. c) a fabricated metal, plastic, or wood structure for supporting the desktop, elevating mechanism, and electrical system(s). d) an electrical system, located under said desktop, for powering said elevating mechanism, and consisting of: electrical motor, re-chargeable battery, and a user's three-position control switch. c) an optional DC to AC inverter located under said desktop for powering such as: computers, clock radios, electrical razors, etc.
 2. Said desk improves user's job efficiency and provides relief from: mental and physical fatigue, physical impairment, and lethargy, by rising users from a seated position to full standing—without interrupting ongoing business responsibilities. Spacious under-clearance of said desktop facilitates a variety of drawers, and enables conferencing of up to six attendees.
 3. An optional onboard DC to AC inverter supplies power for electrical devices, such as: computers, clock radios, electrical razors, etc.
 4. Said desk's three-point suspension and method of desktop attachment enables a variety of desktop compositions and colors. Its weight, from being self-supporting, along with the weight of the elevating mechanism, and the stanchion's anti-friction treatment, insures reliable gravity force lowering of the desktop when the cable winch is operated in the reverse direction. The gear assemble driving the cable winch, being of high-ratio, eliminates the need for electrical or mechanical braking. And a motor-to-gear-box clutch negates the need for circuits to stop motor drive at upper and lower ends.
 5. Support structure of said desk, being artistically designed and finished in appealing colors, makes its presence and decore respectable in most offices and executive suites. 